Pinoys leave Diamond Princess cruise ship for trip back to Philippines

Hundreds of Filipinos disembarked from the COVID-19 -hit M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan for the trip back home on Tuesday morning.

A photo shows some of them sitting inside a bus en route to Haneda Airport.

Filipinos who were on the M/V Diamond Princess are seen in this photo already on a bus on the way to Haneda Airport in Japan for the flight back to the Philippines on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020.

Before disembarking from the quarantined M/V Diamond Princess, they were gathered in the ship's theater for documentation.

Filipinos set to be repatriated back to the Philippines gather at the theater of the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 before disembarking.

Filipinos wait for their names to be called for documentation prior to disembarking from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020.

Officials of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and medical experts from the Department of Health, meanwhile, were all in personal protective equipment as they were seen waiting at the Yokohama Port ready to assist the Filipinos.

Officials of @DFAPHL and PH Embassy in Tokyo w/ @DOHgov medical team now at Yokohama Port for the disembarkation of Filipino crew aboard COVID-19-hit Diamond Princess Cruise Ship.@teddyboylocsin #DFAinACTION#AttentiontoNationals pic.twitter.com/fy1Ab1XOUG

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) February 25, 2020

The repatriation team and flight crew from the Philippines were likewise shown all set to leave Manila for Japan, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

This morning, @DFAPHL carries out the directive of SFA @teddyboylocsin to bring our people in the Diamond Princess cruise ship back home.

The first of two flights to get our kababayans back is now ready to leave for Japan! ????????????????? pic.twitter.com/Ni3WOs5gcV

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) February 25, 2020

The first plane already left Manila and was on the way to Haneda as of the Balitanghali report.

DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay also tweeted about the departure of the first plane at 11 a.m. and said it is estimated to arrive in Haneda at 4:27 p.m.

ATM: First repatriation flight ???? for Diamond Princess Filipino crew left NAIA @ 11:00am together w/ @DFAPHL’s Rapid Response Team . ETA Haneda @ 4:27pm. Game on!! #DFAinACTION pic.twitter.com/esks2yrKqK

— Dodo Dulay (@dododulay) February 25, 2020

The second plane was ready for takeoff from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 12 noon, the DFA said.

Second flight enroute Japan is now ready for take off! This time, DFA-OUMWA's Angela Tolentino and Chareloa Marcial are joining the repatriation team. Both flights will be bringing home a total of over 400 Filipinos from Haneda Airport tonight.@teddyboylocsin #DFAinAction pic.twitter.com/8Z3Q77mwPM

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) February 25, 2020

Over 400 Filipinos from the cruise ship are expected to be repatriated on Tuesday.

They will be placed under quarantine at the Athletes' Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac for 14 days. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News